This week Atlanta police charged Chaka Zulu, the longtime manager for rapper Ludacris, with murder following a June shooting that killed a 23-year-old man, according to police.
In a statement to the media, Chaka’s lawyer told the public that the music executive acted in self defense, discharging a weapon he is licensed to carry after being attacked.
The music executive, whose real name is Ahmed Obafemi, was badly injured in the June 26 shooting in the parking lot of a Buckhead shopping center in the 2200 block of Peachtree Road; his lawyer, Gabe Banks, says he is “still recovering from the nearly fatal injuries he sustained that evening.”
The shooting killed Artez Jamil Benton, 23, a DeKalb County native and a recent college graduate.
“It is not lost on Mr. Zulu that someone lost his life, but had Mr. Zulu not lawfully defended himself, Mr. Zulu would have been killed that night,” Banks’ statement said.
Banks’ full statement was issued early Sunday to Media Take Out:
“Mr. Chaka Zulu, a beloved son of the City of Atlanta, is disappointed in the Atlanta Police Department’s decision to bring charges against him surrounding the shooting that occurred in June 2022. A close review of all the evidence, including the surveillance footage and eyewitness interviews, reveals that Mr. Zulu was attacked and jumped from behind by a gang of at least four individuals (sadly including the decedent) and was forced to defend himself after this gang repeatedly stomped, punched and kicked him while he was on the ground in a defenseless posture. Mr. Zulu was shot in the back during the shooting and nearly lost his life, and is still recovering from the nearly fatal injuries he sustained that evening. Mr. Zulu was at his place of business that might and had every reason to defend himself. In an attempt to save his life, Mr. Zulu lawfully discharged his weapon in self-defense, a weapon that he is licensed to carry. Mr. Zulu fully cooperated with law enforcement officials and their investigation, and voluntarily turned himself in once he teared of the arrest warrants. Mr. Zulu remains confident that his name will be cleared of all charges through the judicial process. It is not lost on Mr. Zulu that someone lost his life, but had Mr. Zulu not lawfully defended himself, Mr. Zulu would have been killed that night.”
